ASICS NOVABLAST 5 vs GEL-NIMBUS 28

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

ASICS NOVABLAST 5
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Feb 19, 2026 06:49 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Jan 30, 2026 06:26 PM

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  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. Long Distance
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Our Verdict

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28

The ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 are both neutral daily trainers, but they're built around two very different priorities. The NOVABLAST 5 is the more modern option, with a lighter, bouncier, more playful ride that makes everyday miles more energetic and fun, even if you're not trying to run fast. The GEL-NIMBUS 28 is the comfort-first cruiser, with a more protective, cushioned feel that's meant to keep your legs fresh and absorbed on easy and recovery runs, but without that same lively rebound. If you want daily mileage that's springy and engaging, go NOVABLAST, but if you want pure cushioning and protection above everything else, the NIMBUS is the better fit.

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Variants

  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 28 (Arctic Blue/Velvet Purple - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 28 (Black/Cobalt Burst - (Men - US 9))
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

7.3
5.7

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.3
1.8

Heel Energy Return 
 

6.3
1.0

Weight  

6.5
5.5

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.5
5.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

248.2 g (8.76 oz)
272.9 g (9.63 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

41.8 mm
42.5 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.4 mm
36.1 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.2 mm
6.4 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
8.0 mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

89 mm (3.5")
97 mm (3.8")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

75 mm (2.9")
84 mm (3.3")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

115 mm (4.5")
117 mm (4.6")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.13
2.28

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.44
3.24

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

284 mm (11.2")
278 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

62 mm (2.4")
67 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
96 mm (3.8")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.2

Forefoot Width Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

1.5 mm (0.059")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-3.0 mm (-0.116")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

8.9

Forefoot Height Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-1.6 mm (-0.064")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

7.1

Arch Fit Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-4.5 mm (-0.178")

Length Fit 
 

10

Toe Clearance Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Toe Clearance Photo

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

6.3
1.0

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

74.0%
64.7%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.3
1.8

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

77.3%
67.4%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.2
8.2

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.83 J
3.43 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.97 J
10.28 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

16.86 J
18.03 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.9
8.9

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.15 J
5.43 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.58 J
9.95 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.28 J
15.38 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.1
4.5

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

47.1 N/mm
45.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

109.3 N/mm
98.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

229.7 N/mm
193.3 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.1
6.3

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

105.0 N/mm
82.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

220.1 N/mm
156.5 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

436.1 N/mm
274.5 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.3
8.3

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.00 J
9.28 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

7.77 J
9.07 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

7.61 J
8.97 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.50 J
8.88 J
Show Text 

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28

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